Federal bill would require rail safety probe notification

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — A New Jersey congressman has introduced legislation to force federal regulators to notify Congress when a railroad or transit agency is being investigated for safety violations.

The bill proposed by Democratic Rep. Albio Sires (SEAR’-ess) would require the Federal Railroad Administration to inform members of Congress within 10 days of initiating a probe of an agency serving their district.

The FRA would have 90 days from the completion of the investigation to inform Congressional members of its findings.

Sires notes that at the time of a fatal crash in Hoboken in 2016, New Jersey Transit was under an undisclosed audit for safety violations.

A train failed to stop as it approached the station and crashed into the terminal. A woman was killed and more than 100 people were injured.